Oleksandr Zinchenko has now revealed how he felt about the arrival of Jurrien Timber at Arsenal.
Arsenal left-back Oleksandr Zinchenko already faces plenty of competition for his regular starting berth in the team.
Earlier this season, prior to his injury issues and current involvement at the Asia Cup, Takehiro Tomiyasu was in excellent form. This led to many Arsenal fans calling for the Japan international to move ahead of Zinchenko in the pecking order.
Jakub Kiwior has also deputised at left-back at times this season. However, the greatest threat to Zinchenko’s place in Mikel Arteta’s plans this season ought to have come from Jurrien Timber.
The Gunners paid £38 million to prise the versatile Dutch defender away from Ajax in the recent summer transfer window. The 22-year-old impressed in pre-season, as he looked to quickly get to grips with Arteta’s tactical demands. Timber was trialled at left-back in this period, and was able to perform the role in the inverted fashion that Zinchenko is known for, as he drifted infield into the middle of the park, bolstering the team’s midfield contingent during build-up phases of play.
However, disaster struck for Timber on the opening weekend of the Premier League season, as he made his debut in the competition. The 15-cap Netherlands international sustained a serious knee injury which has kept him sidelined ever since.
Oleksandr Zinchenko welcomes the challenge of Jurrien Timber at Arsenal
Alongside Tomiyasu’s inconsistent availability, this has increased the importance of Zinchenko being able to stay fit. The 27-year-old has made 25 appearances across all competitions, and remains the club’s first choice left-back, almost by default.
However, even if weren’t for Timber’s untimely injury, Zinchenko was still prepared for the challenge that the newcomer to the Emirates Stadium would bring.
Speaking to The Athletic, the former Manchester City man said, “I know how to deal with [the competition] and there is only one direction to work: even harder and at the end of the season, people are going to judge you, but I’m focusing on the team.”
“You need to look at yourself. What you have done well? What you need to avoid for the future, like some mistakes. But even if you play good, there is always space to improve. The key is just being the best version of yourself every single day.”
Competition for places is a good, healthy thing to have in a squad. It drives players to always have to produce their best if they want to stay in the team. If competition exists, it also means that there is quality strength in depth in the squad, with players available to cover should a regular starter become unavailable for any reason.
Due to Timber’s injury, though, it seems we will have to wait until next season to see how Zinchenko really responds to this new threat.
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